The Rapids front office has distributed free tickets to the three local supporters groups for Saturday night’s home game against Chivas USA, part of an effort to both build up the groups’ numbers and identify potential repeat customers at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

The Pid Army and Bulldog Supporters Group, which stand in the terraces behind the north goal, and Class VI, which sits in Section 108, usually fill up most of those sections, said Rapids spokesman David Lindholm.

But on games with inventory – also known as a good number of unsold seats – the Rapids will sometimes hand them over to help the clubs with recruiting, he said. In return, he said, the groups try to get contact information so the club can follow up and try to turn the freebie recipients into regulars.

Daniel was first introduced to soccer at age 6 while living in Düsseldorf, West Germany. He played youth soccer in West Germany until age 9, and then in Seattle, where he is originally from. He works as the day breaking news editor and also contributes on the Rapids beat.